A man found guilty today of the murder of a 20-year-old shot dead in a street in Sudbury has been jailed for life.
Denny De Silva, 23, gunned down rival Romario Green in Harrow Road, before trying to escape justice by fleeing to the Costa del Sol.
Mr Green was hit with at least 99 pellets in the chest and throat on July 1 last year.
De Silva and his pals left their burnt-out Ford Focus in Luton, where he lived before he moved to Westbourne Park.
He then travelled to Calais via Folkestone and went into hiding in Malaga.
He was arrested on August 9 and extradited back to the UK where he went on trial at the Old Bailey last week.
Jurors were the Ford Focus Green and his accomplices were in was found burnt out in Luton on July 5.
The same day police discovered a bag containing four shotgun cartridges, which were linked to pellets found in the victim’s chest, at an address associated with a 21 year-old suspect registered on the insurance certificate for the vehicle.
A week later police recovered a sawn-off shotgun on a roof outside a flat used by the girlfriend of De Silva’s brother in Westbourne Park.
A 21-year-old suspect, believed to have been the driver at the time of the shooting, has not yet been traced, while the third man in the car remains unidentified.
De Silva denied murder, possession of a prohibited firearm, and possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life.
The judge discharged the jury from returning counts to the other counts.
Sentencing him to a minimum tariff of 27 years, Judge Mark Lucraft told him: “There was a hint underlying this of drugs and territory.
“The shotgun had been shortened and lightened.
“It was used to devastating effect last July.”
Detective Inspector Julie Willats, investigating officer said: “I would like to pay tribute to Romario’s family who have been at court everyday and encouraged the local community to assist us with our investigation. Enquiries are ongoing in relation to locating an outstanding suspect.
“I hope that this sentence offers some comfort to Romario’s family and friends.”
If you have any information about the remaining suspects call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
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